Exercise and Sport Sciences

Areas of Concentration

One of the unique characteristics of Ithaca College’s plan of study is the opportunity to pursue an area of concentration, an experience usually reserved for doctoral study at many institutions. The student must complete 9-15 credits of courses approved by the adviser in one area of concentration -- exercise physiology or sport psychology. The concentration approach to graduate study is designed to provide depth to the program and also to provide specific future employment opportunities. Included in each of the concentrations is the possibility of independent study and internship to increase relevant and practical learning opportunities.

Concentration in Exercise Physiology

Exercise physiology is the study of physiological responses and adaptations consequent to exercise. Through specific coursework, this concentration focuses on both the theoretical and applied/clinical aspects of exercise physiology. Students who want to emphasize theoretical learning are advised to pursue the thesis option, while those with a clinical orientation should consider the non-thesis option with an internship. If desired, a student can have a more comprehensive experience by completing all prescribed coursework, the thesis, and an internship.

An objective of the exercise physiology concentration is to assist in preparation for registration as a clinical exercise physiologist and for external certification as a health/fitness instructor or exercise specialist through the American College of Sports Medicine. Students are actively encouraged to seek additional credentials of this nature.

Prerequisites for applicants to the exercise physiology concentration include completion of coursework in anatomy and physiology; biomechanics or kinesiology; exercise physiology; and statistics or tests and measurements.

Thesis plan students must take 12 credits and complete their thesis in this area of concentration. Students in the non-thesis plan must complete 18 credits in this area of concentration. All exercise physiology students are eligible for related internships. An internship is strongly encouraged for those following the non-thesis plan. Exercise physiology students may study special topics through ESSG-62000 Thesis I, ESSG-63000 Independent Research, and ESSG-63100 Independent Reading.

Exercise Physiology Concentration Courses

Required

ESSG-54000

Physiological Mechanisms of Exercise: Cellular Aspects

ESSG-54200

Physiological Mechanisms of Exercise: Systemic Aspects

ESSG-54400

Multidimensional Assessment of Physical Function

ESSG-54600

Cardiopulmonary Assessment for Exercise

ESSG-54800*

Pathophysiology, Limited Capacity, and Exercise

ESSG-64800*

Strength and Conditioning

*Required for non-thesis option; recommended for thesis plan

SelectedElectives

ESSG-51800

Exercise and Rehabilitation Psychology

ESSG-52000

Advanced Biomechanics of Human Movement

ESSG-52100

Advanced Study in Exercise Physiology

ESSG-64500

Psychophysiology of Exercise and Sport

ESSG-66000

Internship

ESSG-74200

Advanced Techniques of Athletic Training

Concentration in Sport Psychology

The primary focus of this concentration is on the psychological factors that influence sport participation and performance. Topics are derived from clinical, developmental, educational, experimental, cognitive, and social psychology, and also from the basic understanding of sport and its varied task demands. Emphasis is on application, description, explanation, and prediction of sport participation and performance. Applicants for the sport psychology concentration need to show evidence of completed coursework in conceptually relevant content areas. A statistics or tests and measurements class is also a prerequisite.

Thesis plan students must take 9 credits and complete their thesis in this area of concentration. Students in the non-thesis plan must complete 18 credits in this area of concentration.